Brooke Smith

A tall (5'10"), striking brunette, Brooke Smith garnered attention as the tenacious captive of a serial killer in Jonathan Demme's Oscar-winning "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) and as Sonya in Louis...
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HBO
In the past six months, we've said goodbye to a king and hello to another, met some new clones, traveled the flat circle of time, and had an old friend for dinner. So far, it's been a stunning year for television. We've seen so many wonderful, gripping horrifying, funny, and poignant moments blaze across our television screens in 2014, so it's hard to fathom that we're only halfway through the year. Here's a list of some of our favorite moments in television this year... so far. (Beware spoilers!)
The Mountain Crushes the ViperShow: Game of ThronesEpisode: "The Mountain and the Viper"
It was all too easy for Oberyn, who was doing backflips and chanting accusations while easily besting the Mountain in combat. But style, grace, and most importantly, honor have no place in the world of Game of Thrones. A lesson the show has painfully reiterated time and time again. What really gets things done in Westeros is brutal efficiency. So when the Mountain grabs hold of Oberyn by the scruff of the neck, unlike his competitor he wastes no time in gouging the prince's eyes out and crushing his head in horribly graphic fashion. The scene was a disgusting display of SFX wizardry and we've been wincing for weeks.
Three Years Later...Show: Parks and RecreationEpisode: "Moving Up"
For the past six years, Leslie has served Pawnee with moxie and unbridled enthusiasm, but it soon became clear that the devoted public servant was becoming too big for her little Indiana town. Pawnee after all, is somehow simultaneously the greatest town in America and hell on earth for anyone with more than two brain cells rubbing together. We knew Leslie would have to move on eventually, we just didn't know it would be so soon. In a brave gambit, Parks and Recreation jumps ahead three whole years and catches up with Leslie working a new job in Chicago with three toddler-aged kids. Ben is also inexplicably wearing a tuxedo. We've sometimes criticized Parks and Rec for growing a little stagnant formula-wise, and this was a brilliant shake-up for the series.
Helena ReturnsShow: Orphan BlackEpisode: "Governed as it Were by Chance"
At the end of the first season, Sarah shot her “seestra” Helena and left her for dead, but in the second, she found out that it takes more than a gunshot to take out the most unpredictable clone of all. Their reunion in the bathroom is one of Tatiana Maslany’s finest performances, a tense, terrifying moment that highlights the differences between all of the clones. As Helena, she’s creepy and otherworldly and desperate to be loved and protected; as Sarah, she’s terrified and traumatized, shaking uncontrollably and unable to breathe. It’s everything that’s exhilarating and mesmerizing about Maslany’s work on the show condensed into a powerhouse of a scene.
NBC
The Dinner PartyShow: HannibalEpisode: "Mizumono"
Season 2 of Hannibal opened and closed with a deadly dinner that was nothing short of a game-changer. The season's slow burning tragedy ended with a shocking, bloody, and audacious final 10 minutes that leaves Will Graham and essentially the entire principal cast bleeding out, dead, or dying, while Hannibal escapes into the night. It's hard to think of a moment of television in 2014 that left us more gutted.
The Long TakeShow: True DetectiveEpisode: "Who Goes There"
These days, television is on a definite winning streak, with some even proclaiming that the lowly boob tube has even transcended film. TV has certainly come a long way in the past 10 years, and even in the last five, but one area where television has always felt lacking is in cinematography. Directing on television can sometimes feel largely perfunctory, a means to an end. But then we saw the fourth episode of True Detective. And then we forgot what movies even were for a couple days. When undercover cop Rust Cohle is caught up in a white supremacist robbery gone wrong, he escapes in a breathtaking six-minute long take that's not only absurdly complex and seamless but so unflinchingly thrilling. We can't even begin to comprehend how Cary Fukunaga put this one together.
The Coming Out PartyShow: ShamelessEpisode: "Emily"
Generally, when characters come out as gay on television, they do so through a heartfelt confession underscored to soft piano music. But Mickey Milkvoich is not a typical character and Shameless is not a typical show. So when Mickey came out, he did so by getting into a bar fight with his abusive, homophobic, alcoholic father. It’s a testament to Noel Fisher’s performance that he’s not only turned Mickey from a one-off bully into one of the most sympathetic – if not necessarily likeable – characters on the show, but he also created a scene that it simultaneously touching and triumphant.
Ding Dong, the King is DeadShow: Game of ThronesEpisode: "The Lion and the Rose"
With the Starks scattered in the winds, Stannis virtually army-less, and Daenerys still tying to be the Abe Lincoln of Essos, we expected Joffery, the cruel boy king of Westeros, to sit on the Iron Throne for decades. to come. Luckily, Game of Thrones doesn't give a crap what we expect, and in the midst of Joffery's garish wedding celebration, right when Joffery was being his Joffery-est, the king is murdered. And when the big moment finally happens, it isn't triumphant or cathartic like we had always imagined, but horrifying. Watching the life slip out of this child (a fact that's so easy to forget) as he clutches for his mother, and seeing his terrified face go blue then grey, with eyes wild and confused, struggling to understand what was happening, the scene is actually deeply sad. We even felt pity for the poor monster. But we felt even worse for the people caught in the blowback of his assassination.
Mind Your MannersShow: Orange Is the New BlackEpisode: "We Have Manners. We're Polite."
You know all that catharsis we were missing from the death of Joffery on Game of Thrones? Well, we sure felt it in spades here. Vee spent Season 2 of Orange Is the New Black terrorizing and manipulating the inmates of Litchfield. So when Rosa crunches into Vee with her stolen prison van, extinguishing the menace for good... Let's just say we've never felt better about seeing someone get hit with a car.
AMC
Ginsberg Looses His S**t... and NippleShow: Mad MenEpisode: "The Runaways"
Most of Mad Men's psychological traumas occur beneath the skin. But Michael Ginsberg, the least "polished" of the Sterling Cooper &amp; Partners troupe, found a way to bring his issues to the surface in one of the weirdest scenes in the series' history: he removed the valve. He cut off his own nipple, exemplifying a bout with what can only be presumed to be paranoid schizophrenia at the behest of a mechanical interloper. Mad Men is all about metaphors... and we're still clawing at this one to figure out what it means.
Emmett and Leanne's KillerShow: The AmericansEpisode: "Echo"
On FX, there is a show that is every bit as good as Game of Thrones, Hannibal, or True Detective, but only a scant few are watching. The Americans wrapped up its sophomore season in brilliant fashion, letting loose a twist that shocked to the core. After spending the season searching for the killers of fellow undercover KGB agents, Emmet and Leanne, Philip and Elizabeth discover that the real killer was none other than their friends' own son, who was admitted into the KGB behind his parents' back. As the young man revealed his misdeeds between bloody gasps and blind soviet patriotism, everything about the second season was suddenly turned on its head. The most frightening revelation: Paige and Henry, Elizabeth and Phillip's own kids, are next in line to become operatives. Is it 2015 yet?
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In our quest to bring you the best TV content, sometimes we have to look... backwards. That's why we have Thursday TV Throwback, wherein each week our staff of pop culture enthusiasts will be tasked with bringing back some of the best television clips that have been forgotten by time, space and the general zeitgeist.
In honor of MTV airing the New York, San Francisco, and Las Vegas seasons of The Real World this season, we've put our heads together to cast OUR dream Real World house. From crushes to heroes to just plain psychos, here's who we'd want to watch if they ever did an "All Star" type of thing...
Brian Moylan (Tie): One of the most revolutionary aspects of the Real World was its inclusion of gay people, and none is more memorable than Danny Roberts from New Orleans. First we had Norm from New York who hid behind being "bisexual" and asexual saint Pedro from San Francisco, but Danny was something else entirely. He was just a guy. A hot guy. A hot guy who was in love with another guy who happened to be in the military. His story was less about activism and more about wanting to be allowed to live like everyone else on the show, and that ended up being the most effective activism of all.
TV Throwback Thursday: Best Drunk Scenes
Eric Nies was the original Real World pretty boy who wanted to be an actor. The only native New Yorker on the original season of the show set in a SoHo loft (back when SoHo was something other than an outdoor mall) Eric was as famous for his hot temper as he was his hot abs. His acting career never took off (shocker!) but he did secure a gig hosting MTV's ridiculous dance show The Grind. And, guess what, he still has those abs even today.
Shaunna Murphy: I think the only person who loves David Broom's "Come on Be My Baby Tonight" more than I do is Dave Chappelle, or maybe my colleague Aly Semigran. Either way, as soon as they showed his casting tape (remember when they had casting specials because people actually cared?) and he broke out the squee-da-boo-dee-da-boo-dees, I knew we were in for a great season. It was, and he was one of the worst parts of it, but this song alone earns him a spot in my ultimate Real World house — even if he might get busted with a $10 hooker while he's there.
Michelle Lee: Years ago, I got hooked on a marathon of Real World: Hawaii and since then, I've always thought Ruthie Alcaide has got to be the ultimate Real Worlder. She was a drunk mess before Snooki and Amber Portwood were even a twinkle in MTV's eye. But she was more than just a ridiculous trainwreck. She had a real story arc and evolved into a solid, likable — sober — cast member on six seasons of The Challenge.
Kate Ward: It's impossible to forget Brooke LaBarbera from Real World: Denver because, well, The Soup will never let us forget this moment.
Aly Semigran: With the exception of the Stephen and Irene (they were both exceptionally annoying in my book) I loved the entire cast of The Real World: Seattle (the best Real World season, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise) but as a teenager, I couldn't help but fall for VMI buddies David and Nathan. My crushes for them always swayed, but after David flipped out on his girlfriend in the car, it had to be Nathan Blackburn who had an adorable quasi-soul patch and was an all-around good guy. I know by today's 'Real World' standards, that's boring, but I miss the good old days when they picked relatable, decent people like Nathan. (See his reaction to the "slap heard round the world" below.)
Alicia Lutes: If there was anyone who embodied the motto "stop being polite and start getting real" it was 100% Coral Smith from the Real World" Back to New York. She was outspoken, audacious, outrageous, and hilarious. Her relationship with Mike "The Miz" was intense but eye-opening, her opinions were loud, and she carried herself like the hilarious reality queen that she is. No one has really quite done it like Coral. Besides, has there ever been a moment more hilarious in RW/RR history than when Coral proclaimed "I don't wrestle, I f**king beat bitches up!" when egged on by Julie to take it to the grass? Nope. And that's why she's the best.
Follow Shaunna on Twitter @HWShaunna
[Photo Credit: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect/Getty Images]
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Downton Abbey fans rejoyce! It looks like the Dowagager Contess (Maggie Smith) will finally have her verbal sparring partner back because Shirley Maclaine is coming back into our lives.
After a two-episode part in season three of Downton Abbey, MacLaine will return for the new season. The longtime actress will reprise her role as Martha Levinson — mother of Lady Cora — in the season four finale.
According to Deadline, six new chracters will also be joining MacLaine in the highly-anticipated fourth season. Let's take a look at the royal new characters:
RELATED: Downton Abbey' Loses Another Character, Evil Maid O'brien
-An old family friend of the Crawleys, Lord Gillingham (played by Tom Cullen)-The Duchess of Yeovil (played by Joanna David)-An aristocrat, Charles Blake (played by Julian Ovenden)-A valet, Green (played by Nigel Harman)-A friend of the Dowager Countess, Lady Shackleton (played by Dame Harriett Walter)-And an unnamed singing guest at the house (to be played by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa)
Executive producer Rebecca Eaton told the Today show, “The addition of these characters can only mean more delicious drama — which is what Downton Abbey is all about.” Fingers crossed these fresh faces can help fill the void from losing the character we love to hate, Maid O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran)
Are you excited for the return of Martha Levinson? Tell us in the comments section below.
[Photo Credit: PBS]
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While most of the world is out celebrating Halloween and working their way into a serious candy coma, I am sitting here at home on my couch watching the very first round of live performances on The X Factor (or as my friend Dr. Frankenstein would put it — “It’s A-LIVE show!).
So now that we’ve established how super cool I am, let’s break down just how well the Top 16 contestants fared this week under the pressure of a live studio audience and Simon’s fake vampire fangs. (Now that’s spooky.) And hey — fans were also given their first look at the show’s new hosts Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian. And Khloe was actually really good. (Even spookier.)
Find out how your favorites stacked up below:
Paige Thomas (Young Adults – Team Demi Lovato): Kicking off the night was Paige, who decided to sing “What is Love” by Haddaway in keeping with this week’s incredibly vague theme “Made in America.” (???) So I guess everything except the Macarena is fair game. Demi wanted to shave her head to make her look “more adventurous.” She also referred to Paige as being “not the best vocalist,” which – call me crazy – but that doesn’t inspire much confidence in a singing competition, right? Regardless, she received a great deal of praise from the judges, who admired her confidence and edgy look. Britney even said, “I think you’re a true star.” Of course, Paige probably had Britney at the whole head-shaving part.
Arin Ray (Teens — Team Britney Spears): Next up was Arin, who sang “You Keep Me Hanging On” by The Supremes. It wasn’t terrible by any means. In fact, the guy definitely has some great singing potential — however, it felt more like an attempt at a Chris Brown impersonation more so than anything else. He’s trying, but he’s just not quite there yet. Simon felt Britney put too many distractions around him for his first time out (i.e. the sexy set of girl dancers). But overall, he thought Arin possessed a great deal of swag and was very impressed.
David Correy (Over-25 — Team L.A. Reid): David chose to sing, “Your Love is My Love” by Whitney Houston. He has fun with it and really knows how to get interactive with the crowd (though this show’s audience is probably the easiest group of people to get riled up). Personality-wise, we couldn’t really ask for more, but he is somewhat forgettable in the vocals department. Simon called the whole thing a bit “desperate” and felt he needed to tone everything down. Oh Simon, how I’ve missed your snarky ways.
Sister C (Groups — Team Simon Cowel): Sister C — consisting of Carli Rayne Manchaca, Celbi Manchaca and Cirby Ryan Manchaca — performed “Hell on Heels” by Pistol Annies. These girls definitely have a great harmony together and know how to hit all the right notes, but they do have one very big problem: Nobody likes them… or at least that’s how they feel. One of the girls said that they often get portrayed as “mean girls.” Of course, this then led to me trying to figure out which of them was Regina George, which was Gretchen Wieners, and which was Karen Smith. So thanks for that. Meanwhile, L.A. and Demi failed to be impressed and found the performance incredibly stiff. Oh groups — they never fare well in competitions like these. That is so not fetch!
Jennel Garcia (Young Adults — Team Demi Lovato): Jennel chose to sing “Home Sweet Home” by Carrie Underwood and managed to really kill it (in a good way). She nailed all the vocals and completely made the song her own. L.A. said, “You just convinced me that you could win.” But you had to appreciate Simon’s jab at Demi when he said that she’s trying to transform Jennel into a mini version of herself. It’s kinda true though, especially after that makeover.
Diamond White (Teens — Team Britney Spears): Miss Diamond was up next, singing Train’s “Hey Soul Sister” with pretty impressive results. For a 13-year-old, this girl sure knows how to handle some serious pressure and make it look easy. Are anyone else’s middle school years looking ridiculously unimpressive right now? L.A. found the performance a little mechanical at the beginning, but Demi countered saying that she has one of the best voices in the competition.
Vino Alan (Over-25 — L.A. Reid): Vino attempted Nickelback’s “Gotta Be Somebody,” which got off to a pretty rocky start and didn’t really improve much from there. Of course, the judges were all over him for it. Demi said she has a hard time seeing him as a pop star, while Simon took the less-harsh approach (for once) and remarked that the song choice was to blame, not his talents as an artist. His comment to L.A., and I quote: “You completely bleep, bleep, bleeped it up.” I’ll let you fill in the blanks (or rather, the bleeps) for yourself on this one.
Lyric 145 (Groups — Team Simon Cowell): Lyric 145 — made up of Julien Joseph, Jemelle Joseph and Lyric-Bianca Barnes — did a highly entertaining mash-up of Will Smith’s “Boom! Shake the Room” and “Gangnam Style” (seriously, how is this theme “Made in America?”). Anyway, it’s fun and different, but felt more like something I would see performed at a karaoke bar. But the crowd loved it, the judges loved it (except for L.A. but he doesn’t like anything that isn’t part of his own group), so what do I know, I guess.
Next: One act makes the ladies swoon while another makes Mario Lopez blush.Cece Frey (Young Adults — Team Demi Lovato): Demi is all about the makeovers this week. Thinking that Cece gets portrayed as a diva, she decided to change up her look (you know, because outward appearances reflect your inner personality). She ended up singing “Because the Night” by Patti Smith. You can definitely see this girl throwing a great concert: the outfit, the stage presence, all of it was great. However, the judges felt the vocals left little to be desired. Even Demi, her mentor, said she felt she could’ve been stronger vocally. But all-in-all it was a memorable and enjoyable performance.
Tate Stevens (Over-25 — L.A. Reid): Tate selects Craig Morgan’s “Tough” as his song of choice and though I’m not a huge country fan, I was really impressed with him. He’s sweet, he’s talented and just so darn likable — which is something the judges seemed to agree on (for a change). Demi remarked, “You don’t need dancers or a band. You stand on your own.” Couldn’t have said it better myself. This guy is definitely a keeper.
Beatrice Miller (Teens — Team Britney Spears): Beatrice sang Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up,” despite the fact that she openly admitted in the intro package that she didn’t think it was a right fit for her. (I bet crimping her hair wasn’t her idea either, Britney.) Unfortunately, she’s correct. The performance is a little rough, which sucks because I hate to criticize the youngins like that, but it just didn’t suit her very well. However, the judges seemed optimistic, so hopefully she’ll be given another shot to really showcase her talents. Think of the kids, mentors. They gave up trick-or-treating to do this!
Jason Brock: (Over-25 — Team L.A. Reid): Jason decided to get in touch with his inner JLo by singing her recent hit song, “Dance Again.” It… was… brutal. Simon called it “utterly horrendous” and I have to agree with Mr. V-neck on this one. It was a poor song choice and did nothing to highlight his voice. Plus the Vegas showgirls and floor fog were all a little too much for my taste. Of course, L.A. loved it (surprise, surprise). But on a positive note, Jason did manage to make Mario Lopez hilariously uncomfortable by asking if he could pinch his butt. Yay for live shows!
1432 (Groups — Team Simon Cowell): Formerly known as LYLAS and made up of Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen, and Lauren Jauregui, the group decided to sing Taylor Swift’s new hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” It’s always hard for me to know how to feel with songs like this. T-Swift is just so charming and adorable that she can make even the most mediocre songs seem great. But taking her out of the equation sometimes just leaves a mediocre song…like this one, for instance. Demi remarked that they need to come out of their shells a bit more and learn to work better as a group. Of course, they’ve only been together for three weeks, so perhaps they deserve a little leeway…at least for this week.
Willie Jones (Young Adults — Team Demi Lovato): Up next was Willie who sang “Here for the Party” by Gretchen Wilson. At first it seemed like an odd song choice, but he managed to turn it into a really great performance. His charm and deep voice (Bing Cosby anyone?) make him quite the memorable contestant. Britney loved it; Simon thought it was silly — you know, the normal drill. But I hope he sticks around a bit longer. This guy’s got potential.
Carly Rose Sonenclar (Teens — Team Britney Spears): Then came Carly, who sang FloRida’s hit song, “Good Feeling,” to mixed results. There’s no doubt this girl is a powerhouse singer, but she had absolutely no energy during the performance. It was almost like she wasn’t happy to be there, and the judges could sense it. While Demi thought that maybe it just isn’t her time to shine yet, Simon disagreed and thought she just wasn’t connecting to the song because it was the wrong choice for her. He said it would be criminal if she leaves the competition. And coming from Simon, that should definitely mean something.
Emblem3 (Groups — Team Simon Cowell): Closing out the show was Drew Chadwick, Keaton Stromberg, and Wesley Stromberg, who took on Matisyahu’s “One Day.” I can totally see these guys becoming the next hot boy band someday. If you listen closely, you can already hear millions of teen girls squealing in delight. And, man, these guys are good-looking. Demi even admitted that she can’t look at them when they sing for fear of flirting with them (get in line, Demi). Even L.A. had nothing but praise to give them. I have a feeling these guys will be sticking around for a long time. And on behalf of every girl in America, I thank you for that.
That’s all for now, folks, but be sure to tune in Thursday night for the season’s very first live elimination round, where the judges will decide which 8 acts are safe and which 8 acts will need to sing for survival. Either way, by the night’s end, 4 acts will be sent packing. Who will it be? Sound off on your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyBean0415
[Photo Credit: Ray Mickshaw/Fox]
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The mother of Grey's Anatomy actress Brooke Smith passed away on Sunday (07Oct12) after suffering a brain haemorrhage due to an accidental fall.
According to movie website Deadline.com, she tripped down a set of stairs on Saturday (06Oct12) at a bed-and-breakfast in Maine, where she was staying with her husband Eugene.
Her client list also included Robert Redford, director Martin Scorsese, Susan Sarandon, Whitney Houston and Marlee Matlin, who has taken to Twitter.com to pay tribute to her former mentor.
Matlin writes, "So sad to read about passing of publicist &amp; friend Lois Smith. She helped guide me when I did (1986 movie) Children Of A Lesser God. I will miss her... RIP... She really set me on the right track when I was so new... She was a great lady."

Yesterday, as Americans mourned the tragic death of the London Olympics, our nation's second most important competition —Dancing with the Stars — came to the rescue when it finally announced the celebrity/professional pairings for its upcoming all-star season. The competition will be fierce: You have past winners like Emmitt Smith, Kelly Monaco, Drew Lachey, Apolo Ohno, Hélio Castroneves, and Shawn Johnson, as well as vengeful runners-up like Gilles Marini, Joey Fatone, Kirstie Alley, and Melissa Rycroft. And then there's Pam Anderson and Bristol Palin, who probably just don't want to embarrass themselves. There are fragile celebrity egos on the line, and the fact that many of the contestants have never even been in the bottom two makes the stakes just so much higher. It's delicious.
Hollywood.com sat down with some of the contestants during ABC's TCA conference, on the day the cast was announced. But first, we chatted with the almighty Tom Bergeron and his trusted sidekick Brooke Burke, and they let us in on a little secret: They're hoping this season is an all-out bloodbath. "I'm hoping for a level of competitiveness and pettiness that we've rarely seen before," Bergeron said. Well, something tells us Bergeron may get his wish — after our conversation, we showed our maturity by telling the contestants that their rivals were saying bad things about them. Will our words make a difference? That remains to be seen, but either way — in the immortal words of Bergeron — "It's going to be a spray-tanned roller coaster."
Check out the interviews below, and be sure to check back for our chats with Pam and Bristol later this week!
Follow Shaunna on Twitter @HWShaunna
[PHOTO CREDIT: ABC]
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Nabbing a perfect score on Dancing With the Stars is no easy feat. A couple not only has to be flawless on a technical level, but on an entertainment level as well. And those of you who consistently watch the show know that earning praise from Len is almost as rare as finding a 20 dollar bill on the side of the road (possible, but not probable). So when Maria Menounos and Derek Hough crushed it during Classical Night on DWTS, earning the first perfect score of the season with their vampire-themed performance, it was definitely time to celebrate.
In fact, it got us thinking about all the other first-time perfect scores throughout the past 14 seasons. So as a way to honor the ghosts of 10s past, we're counting down past perfect scores and see how they match up to last night's class(ical) act.
If you look closely enough you'll see a distinct pattern: seven out of the thirteen couples who earned the first perfect score actually went on to win the competition entirely. That's more than a 50 percent success rate.
Could Maria and Derek's perfect score be a prediction of their impending win?
Maria Menounos &amp; Derek Hough: Season 14
The Extra host danced an intense Paso Doble dressed as a sexy vampire whose impeccable footwork was just as sharp as her fangs. As Carrie Ann made sure to mention, "That didn't suck."
Next: Karina's Trophy Boy.
JR Martinez and Karina Smirnoff: Season 13 (Winner)
During the eighth week in the competition Martinez wow both the judges and the crowd when he earned two perfect scores in the same night with his elegant Waltz and energy-packed Instant Jive. Forget the Moves Like Jagger — we want the Moves Like JR!
Next: From the Field to the Dance Floor.
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson: Season 12 (Winner)
Less than a week after Johnson was rushed to the hospital with a severe neck injury, the couple took to the dance floor and performed a remarkable Argentine Tango. Sure, you can choose to chalk it up to a sympathy vote if you want, but there's no denying the pure talent in this video. They deserved every point they earned.
Next: Dirty Dancing At Its Best.
Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough: Season 11 (Winner)
After being provided with the musical selection only 30 minutes before having to perform it, the couple pulled out a sultry, sexy Rumba that left the judges only wanting more. Derek didn't even need to take his shirt off — these two earned those 10s based purely on their dance abilities (though we'd never say no to a shirtless Derek).
Next: Ice, Ice, Baby!
Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya: Season 10
They may have the two most difficult names to say in the competition, but they made outstanding dance partners throughout the entire competition — particularly during Week 8 when they nabbed a perfect score for their passionate Argentine Tango. And though they didn't actually win the Mirrorball trophy, you can tell they gave Nicole Scherzinger and Derek a run for their money.
Next: The '70s Sizzler (and a mustache).
Mya and Dmitry Chaplin: Season 9
During the eighth week in the competition, Mya and Dmitry pulled out all the stops with their '70s Samba and earned a whopping 30/30 from the judges. And while there's no doubt these two have some serious dance skills, I think Dmitry's mustache deserves at least some of the credit here.
Next: Cheryl's Favorite Frenchman.
Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke: Season 8
After only four weeks into the competition, Gilles and Cheryl received the first 30/30 of the season for their Argentine Tango, tying him with Sabrina Bryan in Season 5 for the earliest perfect score to ever be awarded. And knowing just how strict the judges usually are, that's quite the accomplishment.
Next: From Contestant To Co-host.
Brooke Burke and Derek Hough: Season 7 (Winner)
For those of you who didn't know, Brooke isn't just the co-host of the show, she's also a former competitor (and winner) of DWTS. Her flawless Foxtrot left the judges no choice but to give her the perfect score we all know she deserved. If you can't tell, they were a little excited about it.
Next: Mark's Gliding Gal.
Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas: Season 6 (Winner)
The Olympic figure skater proved that she doesn't only move well on ice when her lively Jive in week 6 earned her and Ballas the first perfect score of the season. The couple proceeded to remain on top of the leaderboard for the duration of the competition and eventually won the oh so-coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Next: Look Who Hit a Bullseye.
Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas: Season 5
Sabrina and Mark earned a well deserved 30/30 for their Paso Doble in Week 4, which marked the earliest any couple had ever received a perfect score.. well, until Gilles and Cheryl tied them three seasons later. And you've got to hand it to them — it was a really great performance.
Next: Skating To Victory.
Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough: Season 4 (Winner)
During the fifth week of the competition, the Olympic Gold Medalist proved that he deserved another gold medal in dancing after performing a sexy samba with his dance-partner-turned-movie-star Julianne Hough. Did anyone else forget how cute this guy is?
Next: Livin' La Vida Lopez.
Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff: Season 3
The couple danced an impressive Tango during the ninth week of the competition, proving that they most definitely deserved to stay on the show. And though Emmitt Smith took home the trophy, they actually came in a tie for their final scores, proving the competition that year was tighter than Mario's dance pants.
Next: George Clooney's No. 1 Girl.
Stacy Keibler and Tony Dovolani: Season 2
The WWE diva managed to wrestle her way to the top of the leaderboard with a sultry Samba in week 5. Forget the wrestling mat — this girl belongs on the dance floor. I'm sure Mr. Clooney would most certainly agree.
Next: The Freestyle Gurus.
Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo: Season 1 (Winner)
And last, but certainly not least, we have Kelly and Alec who earned 10s from all three judges after their Freestyle performance in week 6. This made them the first couple ever to receive a perfect score in the entire history of DWTS. Yeah, I'd go ahead and put that on a resume. (Sidenote: Bruno is in a tux! I forgot just how formal this show used to be).
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'DWTS' Rankings: Classical Night Delivers the First Perfect Score of the Season
The Most Hilarious 'DWTS' Dance Faces
'DWTS' Goes Classical as Louis Van Amstel Predicts the Top 3

It's only week two of Dancing With the Stars and winners are already being predicted. One of the front-runners has sent women (and men) into a swoon-fest: Cuban hottie William Levy. The crowd's excitement is palpable even before this guy hits the dance floor; that's how much of an upper-hand he already has in the popularity race.
But it's still early in the competition and anything can happen over the next ten weeks. So instead of making a premature prediction, we're taking a look at how favorable Levy's chances really are in earning that coveted Mirror Ball trophy. As the saying goes: history's bound to repeat itself, so that's where we should find our answers.
Advantage: Good Looks
Let's start with the most obvious characteristic working in Levy's favor: he's a painfully handsome man who takes the term drool-worthy to a whole new level. And since a majority of the show's demographic is made up of women, this is a very pivotal advantage. Many DWTS winners have been quite the lookers whether you're a male or female (i.e. Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger, and Apolo Ohno). The world is always looking for the next big heartthrob and Levy shows great potential in this category. That alone will undoubtedly keep him safe well into the thick of the competition.
Disadvantage: A Non-Athlete
Though he most definitely has a hardcore fitness regime, Levy is not an all-star athlete, which has proven to be quite a draw for voters in past seasons. In the 13 previous seasons, six winners had an athletic background. Emmitt Smith and Hines Ward were both professional football players; Kristi Yamaguchi, Apolo Ohno, and Shawn Johnson were all Olympic gold medalists, and Hélio Castroneves was an auto-racing driver. Like it or not, athletes are known for having outstanding hand-eye cordination, making them exceptional dancers — a fact that doesn't go unnoticed by viewers. So as fit as Levy appear to be, he may not have the agility to deserve the trophy. Green Bay Packers star receiver Donald Driver may want to put this knowledge to good use in the following weeks.
Advantage: He's a Judge Favorite
While it's extremely important to be popular among voters, it's also helpful to be a favorite among the judges panel, and Levy has them eating right out of his masculine hand. Levy knows better than to bite the hand that feeds him, and so far his undeniable charm has really worked in his favor. As of now, he's earned 24 out of 30 points for the first week and 25 out of 30 points for the second week, which are extremely high marks to receive so early in the competition. Granted, this season is filled with exceptional scores, but he's clearly becoming a standout to the panel. Carrie Ann even called Levy the "Harry Connick Jr. of the ballroom," after his debonair Quick Step this week. And once you have the judges in your back pocket, then your scores (and odds) will understandably soar.
Disadvantage: That Hectic Work Schedule
Not everyone is able to their careers on hold in order to take part in the dance competition. Levy has to juggle his jam-packed soap opera acting schedule with his dance rehearsals, which can present a bit of a challenge. In fact, Levy and his dancer partner Cheryl Burke had to start working on their first dance routine a week later than everyone else because his schedule wouldn't allow it. If that keeps up, it could put him at a serious disadvantage with the other competitors since the dance routines are bound to get harder as the weeks progress. As former DWTS dance professional Louis Van Amstel recently told us about Levy's balancing act: "Schedule is not a struggle for [William] now, but if he gets into the top couples, the public will start judging him. At that point, he has to put everything on hold if he wants to win." After all, practice makes perfect.
Advantage: Men Are Dominating The Competition
While this isn't much to go on, it is worth mentioning that the winners in the past two seasons have both been males. Every so often, the show tends to cycle through a male winning streak, and this seems to be one of those times (Seasons two through five all crowned male winners). If nothing else, this fact doesn't hurt Levy's chances. Voters are just swaying to favor men over women lately, and who could blame them? There's nothing more adorable than watching a grown man dance.
Overall it seems William Levy has a real fighting chance to make it all the way to the finals, and perhaps even win the whole thing entirely. As they say, if there's a Will there's a way.
But if you really need anymore proof that this guy is a winner in every way, shape or form, just feast your eyes on this:
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DWTS Star William Levy's Sexual Battery Lawsuit Dismissed
Dancing With the Stars Season 14 Premiere: Top 12 Couples Impress

In a post-Harry Potter Avatar and Lord of the Rings world the descriptors "sci-fi" and "fantasy" conjure up particular imagery and ideas. The Hunger Games abolishes those expectations rooting its alternate universe in a familiar reality filled with human characters tangible environments and terrifying consequences. Computer graphics are a rarity in writer/director Gary Ross' slow-burn thriller wisely setting aside effects and big action to focus on star Jennifer Lawrence's character's emotional struggle as she embarks on the unthinkable: a 24-person death match on display for the entire nation's viewing pleasure. The final product is a gut-wrenching mature young adult fiction adaptation diffused by occasional meandering but with enough unexpected choices to keep audiences on their toes.
Panem a reconfigured post-apocalyptic America is sectioned off into 12 unique districts and ruled under an iron thumb by the oppressive leaders of The Capitol. To keep the districts producing their specific resources and prevent them from rebelling The Capitol created The Hunger Games an annual competition pitting two 18-or-under "tributes" from each district in a battle to the death. During the ritual tribute "Reaping " teenage Katniss (Lawrence) watches as her 12-year-old sister Primrose is chosen for battle—and quickly jumps to her aid becoming the first District 12 citizen to volunteer for the games. Joined by Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) a meek baker's son and the second tribute Effie the resident designer and Haymitch a former Hunger Games winner-turned-alcoholic-turned-mentor Katniss rides off to The Capitol to train and compete in the 74th Annual Hunger Games.
The greatest triumph of The Hunger Games is Ross' rich realization of the book's many worlds: District 12 is painted as a reminiscent Southern mining town haunting and vibrant; The Capitol is a utopian metropolis obsessed with design and flair; and The Hunger Games battleground is a sprawling forest peppered with Truman Show-esque additions that remind you it's all being controlled by overseers. The small-scale production value adds to the character-first approach and even when the story segues to larger arenas like a tickertape parade in The Capitol's grand Avenue of Tributes hall it's all about Katniss.
For fans the script hits every beat a nearly note-for-note interpretation of author Suzanne Collins' original novel—but those unfamiliar shouldn't worry about missing anything. Ross knows his way around a sharp screenplay (he's the writer of Big Pleasantville and Seabiscuit) and he's comfortable dropping us right into the action. His characters are equally as colorful as Panem Harrelson sticking out as the former tribute enlivened by the chance to coach winners. He's funny he's discreet he's shaded—a quality all the cast members share. As a director Ross employs a distinct often-grating perspective. His shaky cam style emphasizes the reality of the story but in fight scenarios—and even simple establishing shots of District 12's goings-on—the details are lost in motion blur.
But the dread of the scenario is enough to make Hunger Games an engrossing blockbuster. The lead-up to the actual competition is an uncomfortable and biting satire of reality television sports and everything that commands an audience in modern society. Katniss' brooding friend Gale tells her before she departs "What if nobody watched?" speculating that carnage might end if people could turn away. Unfortunately they can't—forcing Katniss and Peeta to become "stars" of the Hunger Games. The duo are pushed to gussy themselves up put on a show and play up their romance for better ratings. Lawrence channels her reserved Academy Award-nominated Winter's Bone character to inhabit Katniss' frustration with the system. She's great at hunting but she doesn't want to kill. She's compassionate and considerate but has no interest in bowing down to the system. She's a leader but she knows full well she's playing The Capitol's game. Even with 23 other contestants vying for the top spot—like American Idol with machetes complete with Ryan Seacrest stand-in Caesar Flickerman (the dazzling Stanley Tucci)—Katniss' greatest hurdle is internal. A brave move for a movie aimed at a young audience.
By the time the actual Games roll around (the movie clocks in at two and a half hours) there's a need to amp up the pace that never comes and The Hunger Games loses footing. Katniss' goal is to avoid the action hiding in trees and caves waiting patiently for the other tributes to off themselves—but the tactic isn't all that thrilling for those watching. Luckily Lawrence Hutcherson and the ensemble of young actors still deliver when they cross paths and particular beats pack all the punch an all-out deathwatch should. PG-13 be damned the film doesn't skimp on the bloodshed even when it comes to killing off children. The Hunger Games bites off a lot for the first film of a franchise and does so bravely and boldly. It may not make it to the end alive but it doesn't go down without a fight.
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At some point in the early years of the 21st century a bunch of Hollywood executives must have gotten together and decided that animated films should be made for all audiences. The goal was perhaps to make movies that are simultaneously accessible to the older and younger sets with colorful imagery that one expects from children’s films and two levels of humor: one that’s quite literal and harmless and another that’s somewhat subversive. The criteria has resulted in cross-generational hits like Wall-E and Madagascar and though it’s nice to be able to take my nephew to the movies and be as entertained by cartoon characters as he is I can’t help but wonder what happened to unabashedly innocent animated classics like A Goofy Movie and The Land Before Time?
Disney’s Winnie The Pooh is the answer to the Shrek’s and Hoodwinked!’s of the world: a short sweet simple and lighthearted tale of friendship that doesn’t need pop-culture references or snarky dialogue to put a smile on your face. Directors Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall found some fresh ways to deliver adorable animation while keeping the carefree spirit of A.A. Milne’s source material in tact. Their story isn’t the most original; the first part of the film finds Pooh Piglet Tigger and Owl searching for Eeyore’s tail (a common plot point in the books and past Pooh films) and hits all the predictable notes but the second half mixes things up a bit as the crew searches for a missing Christopher Robin whom they believe has been kidnapped by a forest creature known as the “Backson” (it’s really just the result of the illiterate Owl or is it?).
The beauty of hand-drawn animation all but forgotten until recently is what makes Winnie the Pooh so incredibly magnetic. There’s an inexplicable crispness to the colors and characters that CG just can’t duplicate. It’s a more personal practice for the filmmakers and should provide a refreshing experience for audiences who have become jaded with the pristine presentation of computerized imagery. The film is bookended by brief live-action shots from inside Robin’s room an interesting dynamic that plays up the simplicity of youth ties it to these beloved characters and brings you right back to memories of your own childhood.
With a just-over-an-hour run time Winnie the Pooh is short enough to hold the attention of children but won’t bore the parents who will love the film mainly for nostalgic musings. Still it’s the young’uns who will most enjoy this breezy bright and enchanting film that proves old-school characters can appeal to new moviegoers.

Title

Played Sonya in "Vanya on 42nd Street"

Had a recurring role as Dr. Erica Hahn in five episodes of "Grey's Anatomy's" (ABC) third season; became a regular cast member replacing Dr. Preston Burke as the hospital's head of cardiothoracics in the fourth season; character was written off just seven

Played one of Claire Fisher's art teachers in the HBO series, "Six Feet Under"

Won critical praise in "Walking the Dead" at NY's Circle Repertory Company

Rehearsed production of "Uncle Vanya" directed by Andre Gregory over a four and a half year period

Summary

A tall (5'10"), striking brunette, Brooke Smith garnered attention as the tenacious captive of a serial killer in Jonathan Demme's Oscar-winning "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) and as Sonya in Louis Malle's "Vanya on 42nd Street" (1994).

Education

Name

American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Notes

Her godfather is actor Robert Redford.

"Brooke can literally turn on a dime emotionally. She can be in despair, then in ecstasy, then angry, in seconds. She is willing to show us the human being in all its ambiguity, strangeness and wonder. She also has an incredible sweetness and openness. And she works like a maniac." - Andre Gregory in The New York Times, Dec. 4, 1994

"My mother sort of knows everyone in the business. She could definitely open doors for me early on. It bothers ma, I have to admit. I'm sure Jonathan [Demme] knew who my mom was. Years ago he was a publicist." - Brooke Smith in The New York Times, Dec. 4, 1994

On Nov. 3, 2008, Smith told Entertainment Weekly that her character was being written off of "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC). Smith stated that she was "really, really shocked," and suggested that network executives' discomfort with her character's lesbian relationship might be the reason for her ouster.